The Daily How TikTok Became a Matter of National Security
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Mar 20, 2023 
Sapna Maheshwari, a business reporter for The New York Times, dives into the national security concerns surrounding TikTok, a favorite app among one-third of Americans. She uncovers the implications of its Chinese ownership, including potential data privacy risks and influence tactics. The conversation highlights TikTok's explosive growth during the pandemic and its role in mobilizing users politically. Maheshwari also discusses the Biden administration's efforts to regulate the app amid fears of data breaches and foreign exposure of personal information.
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TikTok's Origins
- ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming bought Musical.ly in 2017 and repackaged it as TikTok.
- This was his stepping stone into the American market.
TikTok's Algorithm
- TikTok's accessibility, diverse content formats, and algorithm contribute to its popularity.
- The algorithm personalizes the video stream, serving users what they like.
Pandemic Popularity
- TikTok's popularity exploded during the 2020 pandemic as people sought entertainment.
- Trends like bread baking, pancake cereal, and dance challenges emerged.